DOCSLIB.ORG

TO PRAY for the LIVING and the DEAD a Pastoral Letter On

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
TO PRAY for the LIVING and the DEAD a Pastoral Letter On TO PRAY FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD A Pastoral Letter on Christian Funerals Most Reverend James H. Garland Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette INTRODUCTION Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: No one leaves this world alive. All of us face death - our own death and those of our friends and loved ones. Death is natural and part of the human condition after the fall of Adam. Saint Cyprian, a third century Bishop of North Africa and a martyr, questioned the logic of Christians who pray daily for the kingdom to come and God's will to be done, but try to avoid death and deny its reality: "How unreasonable to pray that God's will be done, but not promptly obey it when he calls us from this world." Saint Cyprian was writing to encourage Christians facing martyrdom. Today, we have different reasons to avoid facing death when it comes to our friends and relatives. One reason is the transfer of the care of the sick and dying to the hospital and nursing home away from our own homes. Care is taken from our hands. Our loved ones enter a living situation with rules and regulations that we do not always understand. While some families are able to care for loved ones, many of us cannot and so find ourselves with only minimal tasks of care giving. In this circumstance, we begin to accept death and to experience a form of closure when our mother, father, spouse, or other loved one is institutionalized. Consequently, we may consider the funeral rites unnecessary for assisting us in handling the loss resulting from death. There is another circumstance in which many young adults find themselves. If they have never faced the loss of a close family member, death is strange and a mystery to them. In addition, if they no longer practice the faith, they may be unfamiliar with the Catholic burial rites. As a result, they are inclined to avoid the unknown and eliminate or minimize the ritual acts when they have the responsibility for burying the dead. For these and other reasons, we see a trend today to omit or reduce to a minimum the Church's rites of Christian burial. This diminishes prayer for the dead and removes the opportunity to give witness to faith. It deprives those remaining of the consolation and emotional relief that the funeral rites offer. Grief is necessary and should be allowed to run its natural course. We are then better able to regain our balance and continue to 1 live our lives in a healthy manner. The grieving process is assisted by the support of others in the family and the community of faith. The parish family stands willing to help us heal and find peace. With this Pastoral Letter, I want to encourage our people, pastors and other pastoral ministers and funeral directors to make full use of the richness of the traditional Catholic funeral and burial rites–for the sake of our beloved dead and for the sake of those who mourn their loss. THE FUNERAL RITES There are three principal moments in the Christian funeral: the Vigil or Wake, the Funeral Liturgy, and the Rite of Committal. For the proper celebration of a Christian Burial and the fuller participation of the family, it is best that the pastor or associate meet with the bereaved soon after the death. Visiting with and listening to the bereaved are key elements for effective planning. In this way the pastor can meet the needs and wishes of the family and fulfill his own responsibilities to provide the Church's ministry to them. The funeral director can often help the family to understand the role of the Church's minister at the time of death. The minister's involvement is essential and should be expected and sought by the family members. Many of our parishes offer the family the services of a parish Bereavement Committee. Its members are trained to accompany the family in observing the passage of their loved one. They can assist in the planning of the liturgy helping the bereaved to select readings, prayers, music, and members of the parish community to serve as ushers, pallbearers, lectors, and servers. Parish lectors exercise the responsibility of proclaiming scripture and can free the family members to experience the Church's ministry to them. Bereavement ministry is a true Christian ministry that can alleviate much of the family's anxiety and questions. THE VIGIL It is not uncommon today that more people attend the wake than the Funeral Liturgy. The Church's Ritual uses the word vigil for a reason. It is a time when the faithful watch in prayer with the family members and await the Funeral Liturgy and burial. The Christian community gathers at the family home, the Funeral Home, or the church. The Church gently accompanies the grieving family and offers encouragement and hope as they face the death of a loved one and ponder the passage from this life to the life which is to come. The Vigil can be thought of as a dialogue between God and the assembled people and between the consoling community and the bereaved. The focal points to consider when planning the Vigil are the deceased and the bereaved. How can the deceased be honored and lifted up in prayer? How can the bereaved be consoled? What readings, what songs, what stories, what prayers will give the service its most rewarding dimension and content? We have discovered that story telling helps people to adjust to the new circumstances that accompany a major loss. With the special time afforded for 2 the sharing of stories and memories from the life of the deceased, the Vigil can be a good beginning for the long process of coming to terms with life now that the deceased person is gone. Many pastors and families see an advantage in holding the Vigil service at the parish. A gathering in the church, while showing due respect to the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, allows more of the community to participate in the offering of sympathy, but also in the Funeral Mass that might follow. When this happens, there should be some amount of time separating the Vigil from the Funeral Mass or Liturgy to avoid duplication of prayers and scripture. RITES RELATED TO THE VIGIL The Church offers the family other opportunities for ritual prayer, two before the Vigil, and one after. The first of these Related Rites offers prayers soon after the death has occurred, the second when the family gathers for the first time in the presence of the body, and the third as the body begins the journey to the church for the Funeral Mass or Liturgy. These three brief times of prayer are signs of the community's concern for the family members and close friends of the deceased. The Word of God is proclaimed and familiar prayers and litanies are prayed–simple rituals at critical moments which go a long way to help reassure the mourners and create an atmosphere of calm in the face of need and uncertainty. THE FUNERAL LITURGY The Funeral Liturgy is the central celebration of the Funeral Rites. The Eucharist is the foretaste of eternal life in Christ. In Holy Mass we are united with Christ, with each other and with all the faithful living and dead. Jesus said, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood shall live forever." (John 6:54) Here in the Holy Mass we make present Christ's saving death and Resurrection and we remember His passing from death to life. Our reception of the body of the deceased in the Church and the celebration of the Eucharist with the body present has significant meaning for the believer. It was in the Church where the Christian life of the deceased person was begotten in baptism and nourished in the Eucharist. Here he or she has encountered Christ in the other sacraments of the Church. Now the community of faith gathers in the church to commend one of its members to God. The people of God reverence the body with prayer, incense, and Holy Water, for we believe it has been the temple of the Holy Spirit and the dwelling place of the Holy Trinity. Here we clothe the casket with the pall to remind us of the garment given in baptism, signifying life in Christ. The full and active participation of the assembly shows the importance of prayers for the dead and strengthens and supports the bereaved. Through the funeral rites and presence of the assembled faithful, the family receives a sure sign of faith and hope in the death and Resurrection of the Lord - the Paschal Mystery. At the same time, members of the parish community address their need to grieve the loss of one of their 3 own by participating in the Funeral Mass and show their respect and love for the deceased by their attendance. There is no more effective means to express our love and provide spiritual benefit to the deceased than to offer Holy Mass that they may be released from their sins and gain eternal life. "From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1032) Participation of the assembly in the Funeral Liturgy does not merely fulfill a social requirement, but also constitutes a spiritual and corporal work of mercy.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pastoral Letter of 1919 U.S
    Pastoral Letter of 1919 U.S. Bishops, 1919 Venerable Brethren of the Clergy, Beloved Children of the Laity: Thirty-five years have elapsed since the Fathers of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore addressed their pastoral letter to the faithful of their charge. In it they expressed their deliberate thought upon the state of religion at the time, upon its needs and its abundant resources. Surveying the growth of the Church during a century, they saw with thankfulness the evident design of God in behalf of our country; and turning to the future, they beheld the promise of a still more fruitful development. With wise enactment and admonition they imparted new vigor to our Catholic life. With a foresight which we can now appreciate, they prepared the Church in America to meet, on the solid ground of faith and discipline, the changing conditions of our earthly existence. As Pope Leo XIII of happy memory declared: "the event has proven, and still does prove, that the decrees of Baltimore were wholesome and timely. Experience has demonstrated their value for the maintenance of discipline, for stimulating the intelligence and zeal of the clergy, for protecting and developing the Catholic education of youth", January 6, 1895). The framers of the legislation were men of power, strewing forth in their wisdom the dignity of prophets and instructing the people with holy words. They are gone, nearly all, to their rest and reward; but their godly deeds have not failed. They have left us a sacred inheritance; their labors are held in remembrance and their names in benediction forever.
    [Show full text]
  • ANNOTATED CONSTITUTION and CANONS for the Government of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America Otherwise Known As the Episcopal Church
    ANNOTATED CONSTITUTION AND CANONS for the Government of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America otherwise known as The Episcopal Church --------------------~ Adopted in General Conventions 1789-1979 CANON 21. Of Ministers and Their Duties Control of Sec. 1 (a). The control of the worship and the spiritual the worship jurisdiction of the Parish, are vested in the Rector, subject and spiritual to the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, the Canons jurisdiction. of the Church, and the godly counsel of the Bishop. All other Ministers ofthe Parish, by whatever name they may be designated, are to be regarded as under the authority of the Rector. Control of (b). For the purposes of his office and for the full and free Church and discharge of all functions and duties pertaining thereto, Parish the Rector shall, at all times, be entitled to the use and buildings. control of the Church and Parish buildings with the ap­ purtenances and furniture thereof. Assistant (c). In case of the election of an Assistant Minister the Ministers. name of the Clergyman whom it is proposed to elect shall be made known to the Bishop and sufficient time, not exceeding thirty days, shall be given him to communicate with the Rector and Vestry thereon. Priest in charge to (d). In a Missionary Cure the control and responsibility have control belong to the Priest who has been duly appointed to the in a charge thereof, subject to the authority of the Bishop. Missionary Cure. Sec. 2 (a). It shall be the duty of Ministers of this Church who have charge of Parishes or Cures to be diligent in Duties of instructing the children in the Catechism, and from time Ministers in to time to examine them in the same publicly before the charge of Congregation.
    [Show full text]
  • Pastoral Letter of the Bishop to the Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese Of
    Pastoral letter of the Bishop to the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Pembroke Witnessing the dignity of Life - Feast day of the Baptism of the Lord Sunday, January 10, 2021 “Stay Awake!” (Mt 24:42) During Advent, we have heard the voice of St John the Baptist calling the Church to repentance, conversion and the spiritual challenge of making a straight way for the coming of the Lord. Hearing this call from the Word of God each year beckons us to ‘stay awake’ for the coming of the Lord and to be prepared to given an accounting of our lives before Him at the end of time. Welcoming Christ into our hearts requires us to open our lives to Him completely and wholeheartedly, knowing that the Risen Lord and his law are where our true freedom is found. While we were journeying through these days of Advent in our own nation, legislative procedures were undertaken that seek to expand euthanasia/assisted suicide laws to encompass those whose death is not immediately foreseeable, including those who are living with mental illness or a disability. The race towards radical expansion of the assisted dying laws in Canada in just a few short years has taken place alongside growing acceptance and normalization of something that just a few years ago was unthinkable. ‘Medical Assistance in Dying’ (MAiD) is now publicly celebrated as a virtue in many media stories, and it is not uncommon to see public obituaries proudly profess euthanasia/assisted suicide as a celebrated means of death. When societal attitudes evolve so quickly and popularly, as followers of Christ, we must return to St John the Baptist’s call to conversion and repentance: ‘Stay awake!’ The Good Samaritan: Witnessing to the dignity of life Our Holy Father Pope Francis consistently acts as a voice in the wilderness, calling all followers of Christ to oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide.
    [Show full text]
  • An Alternative Vision for Public Education a Pastoral Letter On
    An Alternative Vision for Public Education A Pastoral Letter on Federal Policy in Public Education: An Ecumenical Call for Justice May 18, 2010 The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA 475 Riverside Drive New York City, NY 10115-0050 May 2010 Dear President Obama and Members of Congress, The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA is a community of 36 Christian communions with a combined membership of 45 million persons in more than 100,000 congregations across this country. Our member churches – from a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, historic African American and Living Peace churches – do not agree on all things! We stand united, however, in our conviction that the church is called to speak for justice in public education. We affirm that each life is infinitely precious, created in the image of God, and therefore, that every child should be given opportunity for fullness of life, including a quality and affordable education. We further affirm that our society’s provision of public education—publicly funded, universally available, and accountable to the public—while imperfect, is essential for ensuring that all children are served. As a people called to love our neighbors as ourselves, we look for the optimal way to balance the needs of each particular child and family with the need to create a system that secures the rights and addresses the needs of all children. We know that such a system will never be perfect, and we pledge as faithful citizens to continue to improve the schools in our communities and to make our system of schools more responsive.
    [Show full text]
  • Baptized Christians Who Have Died and Are Now with God in Glory Are Considered Saints
    Father’s Corner Dear Loving parishioners, Love and Peace of Christ! The feast and its objectives: All baptized Christians who have died and are now with God in glory are considered saints. All Saints Day is intended to honor the memory of countless unknown and uncanonized saints who have no feast days. Today we thank God for giving ordinary men and women a share in His holiness and Heavenly glory as a reward for their Faith. This feast is observed to teach us to honor the saints, both by imitating their lives and by seeking their intercession for us before Christ, the only mediator between God and man (I Tm 2:5). The Church reminds us today that God’s call for holiness is universal, that all of us are called to live in His love and to make His love real in the lives of those around us. Holiness is related to the word wholesomeness. We grow in holiness when we live wholesome lives of integrity, truth, justice, charity, mercy, and compassion, sharing our blessings with others. We can take the shortcuts practiced by the three T(h)eresas: i) St. Teresa of Avila: Recharge your spiritual batteries every day by prayer, namely, listening to God and talking to Him ii) St. Therese of Lisieux: Convert every action into prayer by offering it to God for His glory and for the salvation of souls and by doing God’s will to the best of your ability. iii) St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa): Do ordinary things with great love.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Pastoral Letter
    In the name of A Pastoral Letter 2021 Most Rev. Douglas J. Lucia Bishop of Syracuse we believe, particularly, “God [who] is love.” Some feel they are condemned and are unre- Rise and Walk deemable in the eyes of “righteous churchgoers,” so why bother? Others want to make God In the name of - into their own image, rather than the other way around. And yet still others say, “I believe, A Pastoral Letter 2021 Most Rev. Douglas J. Lucia but…” and their faith and life don’t jive. During Advent 1978, Bishop Frank J. Harrison, the seventh Bishop of Syracuse, wrote a pasto ral letter to the people of the Diocese of Syracuse titled, “We Are the Church.” In 2001, over 20 - years later, Bishop James M. Moynihan, the ninth Bishop of Syracuse, issued a pastoral letter- Ash Wednesday titled, “Equipping the Saints for the Work of Ministry.” Most recently, in 2017, my immediate In this mix is where I �ind the Church is needed even more, not less. Isn’t that the real scenar February 17, 2021 predecessor, Bishop Robert J. Cunningham, the tenth Bishop of Syracuse, addressed the faith thatio in waswhich sent the to infant me recently. Church foundIt illustrates itself? forA sinful me what world our needing parish churchesto hear the must name be: of Jesus Introduction ful in a pastoral letter titled, “Enriching the Church.” It focused on the role of the family in the to know redemption and to “rise and walk.” Permit me to share with you a candid re�lection offer,life of asthe the Church eleventh of Syracuse Bishop andof Syracuse, beyond.
    [Show full text]
  • OLM Weekly Bulletin 215C
    Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 28, 2012 Dear Parishioners: The month of October is coming to an end and so we await the celebrations this week of Halloween, the All Saints Holy Day and the Feast of All Souls. As we turn the calendar to November, we are called by the Church in to pray for our departed brothers and sisters. November begins with the great feast of All Saints, a holy day of Monday —October 29 obligation for all Catholics, and a day we recall in faith all those Weekday who are known officially as saints and those saintly people 7:30AM—Pro Populo known only to God. I hope you make every effort to come to Tuesday—October 30 one of the four Holy Day Masses this week. Weekday On Friday, we celebrate the Feast of All Souls, when 7:30AM—John Gardner—Memorial we recall all our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory. Wednesday—October 31 Prayer for the dead is a spiritual work of mercy and it is an Weekday essential part of our witness to God’s love and mercy. Prayer for 7:30AM—Deceased Members of the Colgan Family—Mem. the dead both honors the memory of the dead and expresses Vigil of the Solemnity of All Saints our continuing love of them by assisting them to be freed of any 5:00PM—Hope Conway—Memorial temporal punishment due to sin and to reach their lasting home Thursday—November 1 with God. Let us pledge our prayers for our beloved dead as we th The Solemnity of All Saints recall of the words of Saint John Chrysostom in the 4 Century: 7:30AM—Christopher Angelo—Memorial “Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.” 9:00AM—James Potter—Birthday Remembrance In a very special way on Friday night at 7:00pm we 7:00PM—Special Intention gather to pray for our fellow OLM parishioners who have died in Friday—November 2 the last year.
    [Show full text]
  • Fraternity Email: [email protected] Reflections
    Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis Fraternity www.immaculatasfo.org email: [email protected] Reflections Minister: Carol Lieser, OFS Vice Minister: Brad Toups, OFS Master of Formation: Teresa Stadelman, OFS Secretary: Mary Dang, OFS Treasurer: Charles “Chuck” Leiser, OFS Spiritual Assistant: Fr. John Mark Klaus, T.O.R. Fraternity meets first Sunday of the Month, 2:00pm to 4:00pm, Good Shepherd, 1000 Tinker Rd., Colleyville, Texas 76034 Inquirer/Candidate Formation class meets first Sunday, just before Fraternity meeting, 12:00pm to 1:30pm, at Good Shepherd Immaculata Fraternity is a local fraternity of the Three Companions Region – www.lostrescompaneros.org IMMACULATA FRATERNITY, OFS November, 2020 VOL XVII ISSUE 10 “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (CCC1030) 1000 Tinker Rd Colleyville, Texas 76034 Jania which the Law forbade the Jews to wear. To atone Minister’s Letter for November for this sin, Judas begged the people to keep themselves from sin and he collected a sin offering of Words on Purgatory 2000 silver drachmas, and asked for prayers to be said By: Carol Lieser for the dead. The Maccabean text shows that Judas, and the Jewish priests and people believed that those who died in peace could be helped by prayers and sacrifices offered by the living. In addition, in the New Testament we read (Mt. 12:32) that Christ recognizes "In the words of Saint Francis: that there exists a state beyond this world in which the "O my Brothers and Sisters, penalty due for sins, which were pardoned for guilt I want you all to go to Heaven!" in the world, is forgiven.
    [Show full text]
  • SEIA NEWSLETTER on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism ______Number 196: January 31, 2012 Washington, DC
    SEIA NEWSLETTER On the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism _______________________________________________________________________________________ Number 196: January 31, 2012 Washington, DC The International Catholic-Oriental attended the meal. turies, currently undertaken by the com- Orthodox Dialogue The Joint Commission held plenary mission since January 2010, is perhaps sessions on January 18, 19, and 21. Each expected to establish good historical un- day began with Morning Prayer. At the derstanding of our churches. We think HE NINTH MEETING OF THE INTER- beginning of the meeting Metropolitan such technical and scholarly selection of NATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION FOR Bishoy congratulated one of the Catholic items for discussion will bring many more THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN T members, Rev. Fr. Paul Rouhana, on his outstanding results beyond the initially THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE recent election as General Secretary of the expected purpose of the Joint Commis- ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES TOOK Middle East Council of Churches. sion. Therefore, this theological and spir- PLACE IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, FROM The meeting was formally opened on itual contemplation will not only unveil JANUARY 17 TO 21, 2012. The meeting was hosted by His Holiness Abuna Paulos the morning of January 18 by His Holi- the historical and theological facts that I, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox ness Patriarch Paulos. In his address to exist in common but also will show us the Tewahedo Church. It was chaired jointly the members, the Patriarch said, “It is with direction for the future. The ninth meeting by His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, great pleasure and gratitude we welcome of the Joint Commission in Addis Ababa President of the Pontifical Council for you, the Co-chairs, co-secretaries and is expected to bring much more progress Promoting Christian Unity, and by His members of the Joint International Com- in your theological examinations of enor- Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Dami- mission for Theological Dialogue between mous ecclesiastical issues.
    [Show full text]
  • Ragpat: Prayer for the Dead and Quest for Transcendence
    Mountain Journal of Science and Interdisciplinary Research September 2016 - March 2017, 77: 59-79 Copyright 2016, Benguet State University Ragpat: Prayer for the Dead and Quest for Transcendence Tecah C. Sagandoy College of Arts and Sciences Benguet State University ABSTRACT Among members of a Christian Spiritist group, it is believed that earthbound souls seek help from the living through omens, visions, dreams, mediums, or infliction of illness. Consequently, ragpat ti minatay [lifting of the soul], an intercessory prayer for the dead, is performed to help alleviate the sufferings of the earthbound soul seeking for help. As a member of the Spiritist group, I had the privilege to observe and participate in the conduct of ragpat ti minatay (ragpat, for brevity), thus, acquiring information that may not be readily accessible to non-members. My interviews with key informants and participants have revealed that the primary reason behind ragpat is helping ease the burdens of earthbound souls or suffering souls who are restless spirits fleeing to and fro or bounded in a dark state or place and ensuring these souls of a better spiritual state, happier and more peaceful than earthly life. For Spiritists considering themselves Christians, praying for the dead (i.e. ragpat) is a duty meant to be fulfilled in accordance with the Christian virtue of charity, in that loving and helping one another is extended to the living and the dead. A successful ragpat rests on the proper observance of its elements. Its success is also dependent on the soul’s willingness to repent, but ultimately, the success of ragpat rests on God’s forgiveness and abundant grace to repentant souls.
    [Show full text]
  • Downloaded License
    Exchange 49 (2020) 257-277 brill.com/exch The Revival of Palestinian Christianity Developments in Palestinian Theology Elizabeth S. Marteijn PhD Candidate, School of Divinity, Centre for the Study of World Christianity, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK [email protected] Abstract Palestinian Christians are a minority of approximately 1 or 2% in a context marked by conflict, expulsions, and ongoing emigration. Despite all this, Palestinian Christians have made a significant contribution to society in the spheres of politics, the arts, sci- ence, and social welfare. Moreover, from the 1980s onwards, this Palestinian context of struggle has also been the source for the emergence of a socially and politically committed contextual theology. This article analyses the development of Palestinian contextual theology by examining theological publications by Palestinian theologians. It identifies liberation, reconciliation, witness, ecumenism, and interfaith-dialogue as some of the dominant theological themes. What unites these publications is a theological engagement with the Palestinian Christian identity in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Keywords contextual theology – Israeli-Palestinian conflict – Kairos theology – Palestinian Christianity – Palestinian theology – public theology 1 An Arab Christian Awakening Palestinian Christians feel deeply rooted in Palestinian society. They under- stand themselves as part of the Palestinian community and actively contribute to its flourishing. This article aims to outline how Palestinian Christians have embraced their vocation, in the words of Emeritus Patriarch Michel Sabbah, to © Elizabeth S. Marteijn, 2020 | doi:10.1163/1572543X-12341569 This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC BY 4.0Downloaded license. from Brill.com09/30/2021 04:35:54PM via free access 258 Marteijn be “in the service of society.”1 Michel Sabbah, born in Nazareth in 1933, was con- secrated on 6th January, 1988, by Pope John Paul II as the first Palestinian-born Roman Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem.
    [Show full text]
  • Saint Francis Assisi
    Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis | Our parish exists to give Glory to God 4556 Telegraph Road, St. Louis, MO 63129 | sfastl.org | 314-487-5736 Saint FrancisÉy Assisi ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY MASS 4556 Telegraph Rd, St. Louis, MO 63129 Saturdays 7:45 a.m. / 4:00 p.m. Phone: 314-487-5736 | Fax: 314-487-3701 Sundays 7:00 a.m. / 9:00 a.m. / 11:00 a.m. www.sfastl.org | [email protected] Weekdays Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m. / 7:45 a.m. Facebook: stfrancisstl | Twitter: @stfrancisstl Sacrament of Reconciliation Rectory Office Hours: M-F: 8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m. Sunday: 8:15 a.m.—9:00 a.m. Rectory Office closed everyday: 12 noon—1:00 p.m. Saturday: 2:45 p.m.—3:45 p.m. CLERGY St. Anthony Devotions Reverend Anthony R. Yates [email protected] Tuesday after the 6:00 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. Mass. Pastor Eucharistic Adoration Reverend George Staley [email protected] Monday—Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Associate Pastor Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Deacon John DuFaux [email protected] Sacrament of Baptism Permanent Deacon Ext 133 Attendance at a Baptismal Preparation Class is required prior to Baptism. Classes are held the 1st Thursday of the month in the Rectory Meeting Room. Please call PASTORAL STAFF the rectory or visit our website to register. Tammy Chumley [email protected] Sacrament of the Eucharist and Confirmation Director of Evangelization & Faith Ext 104 For those who have been baptized Catholic or wish to enter the Catholic Church, Formation sessions in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is required.
    [Show full text]